World Mental Health Day is organized and celebrated on October 10 every year across the globe. The main aim of this day is to create awareness, reflect and recognize the importance of mental health in our lives. Mental health issues are universal, crossing borders, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Yet, they are often overlooked or stigmatized, leaving many to suffer in silence. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly a billion people worldwide live with a mental disorder. These stats are alarming and a stark reminder that mental health care must be a priority in our societies. This World Mental Health Day, the theme is “Mental health is a universal human right.” It reflects the reality that access to mental health is a universal human right. It is a fact that people living in low- to middle-income countries, marginalized communities, and individuals facing socio-economic barriers often have limited access to mental health services. This gap in healthcare equity is not just unfair, but it also perpetuates cycles of poverty and disadvantage. Mental health is as consequential as physical health. The mind and body are intricately connected, and one cannot function optimally without the other. Yet, mental health often takes a backseat in public health discussions. The need of the hour is to change this narrative by breaking the stigma associated with mental health. This requires a collective effort in building a culture of openness and acceptance. Schools, workplaces, and health institutions should foster environments where individuals feel safe to discuss their mental health struggles and seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination. Also, government should provide adequate funding and resources for mental health and must prioritize mental health in their health budgets by providing necessary resources to those areas where mental health services are scarce. Government must also ensure that mental health care is accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status. This requires policies that work towards health equity, providing all individuals the right to mental health care. The purpose of celebrating World Mental Health Day is to make mental health a global priority, breaking down the barriers of stigma, and building a world where everyone has access to the mental health care they need. Let us commit to these goals and remember that mental health is not a personal failing, but a global issue that deserves our attention, understanding, and compassion. Let us all strive to create a world where mental health is valued, prioritized, and accessible to all.
